Cartridge for dispensing liquid chemicals



July 1, 1952 P. ALEXANDER CARTRIDGE FOR DISPENSING LIQUID CHEMICALS 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Phi/1p Alexander Filed March 22, 1946 INVENTOR July 1, 1952 P. ALEXANDER CARTRIDGE FOR DISPENSING LIQUID CHEMICALS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 22, 1946 HT a Phflzp Alaxands'r INVENTOR Patented July 1, 1952 UNITED :srArEs f-PATENT ioF RICE- CARTRIDGE FOR DISPENSING LIQUID I CHEMICALS }Pliilip Alexander, 'New York, -N'.' 'Y., ..assignor, by

. mesne Lassignments, to' Charles .C.'..:Trelease,.

': .'N;ewark, N; J as. trustee 7 Applicatioi'ilvlarch 22, 1946; S.erialNo.*65 6,234

.52 Claims. (01.. 222-82) tic sealing elementof rubbenusynthetic rubber,

soft plastic or a similar material-so constructed Y asto permit filling-passages through which the fluids and the propellents'-'may-passduring the filling operation and after-themechanical-closure, form an effective leak-tight seal.

A further object *of the "invention is the provision of a sealingelementjas described above, so constructed as to permit piercing thereof by a hollow tubular metal pin;fr-thepurpose-of-discharging-the contents of thecontainer.

Another object isthe provision of a-seaiing element, as described above; so constructed that when the discharge tube is withdrawm-the in- -ternalpressure on the element will cause it to 'reseal itself; so that the container may-be reused on several occasions until the contents are exhausted.

" Still another object is the-provision-of"adispensing device that-is-simple in construction and smallin sizefor' easy handlingvwhereby a large variety ofliquid products: may besprayed; atomized- 'ordischargedim desired quantities with a minimum of effort and waste.

With these andother objects-in'view, asymay appear from the following specification; the invention consists of the following describedmeth- 0d of sealing and. dispensing liquids andofvari- 0.11s features of construction-and combinations of parts, as described in" connection with, the accompanyingdrawings; "the features forming the invention being specifically pointed out inthe'appended claims.

' In the drawings: Figure 1' 'is' a longitudinal sectionthrougha container-capsule and aisealing device. therefor;

Figure 21s a' view-similar to-Figure. 1; showing the sealing device. assembled-- with the container;

Figure 3 and Figure 3-,Aareperspective views of one form' of the sealing element;'in upright and inverted positionsyrespectively;

Figure 4 and Figure '4.-A 'are perspective views 1 of a modified'form of'the sealing element, in 11pright and: inverted" positions, respectively;

Figure 51s a view; partlyin centralsectionandpartly inelevation; I of a container and sealing element, as illustrated in Figure 3,.prior. to completion of the assembly;

Figure 6 is a view,--partly insection and partly in elevation-of a container and-sealing element,

asillustrated inFigure 4,prior to completion of the assembly;

Figure 7 is a view-in-central=section.showing stillanothersealing-construction; I

Figure 7-A is a perspective detailof awasher. of

- Figure '7;

' --Fig-ure 8 is a sectional view-showingthe method of filling andsealing;

Figure 9 -is a view showing the .container of Figures and 6. as completed;

--Figure 10 is a-sectional view 'of the completed container'constructedaccording .to Figure 7;

Figure 11 is a sectionalgzview of -the. container and sealing dev-ice embodying the present invention, with a dispensing device inserted therein Figure 12 isasectional v-iew similar to Figure ll, --showing the dispensing device partially removed therefrom; and. 1

- Figure 13 is a sectional. view similar-to Figures 11 and 12-,showing-thecontainer:and-sealing device following removal ofythe dispensing device therefrom.

Referring more particularly-to the drawings, in

- Figure 1 is illustrated a metal'containercapsule b of a general type and-design'commonly available on-themarket-having a circular orround-neck I formed thereon toprov-ide a-mouth-or opening 2 forthe container. The opening 2 has a recess t-formed therein, leavinga shoulder 4 a short distance inward from the mouth ot the opening 2.

A small sealing plug w-isshowmLof'a iameter somewhat less than the diameter of '-:the recess 3, and which fits therein and -rests upon the shoul der 4.

-A primary form of theplug a-is illustrated, in

cross-section,- in Figure 1. The plug comprises a maincylindrical body 5 I of a thickness slig-htly less than the deptho-f-the recess 3,- or than the distancefrom'theshoulder 4 to the mouthof the opening-2. 'Thiscylindricalbody 5 has-a -coneshaped-concave recess-t formed in-itsupper-surface, of a diameter preferably-less-than'the'diameterof the -body- 5. 0n its lower surface is formed a-hemispherical dome or-protuberance' 7, also of a-- diameterless than-that of the-body 5,-

leaving a shoulder 8 on the-lowersurfaeeof l the body 5 for cooperationwiththe shoulder l -formed by the recess 3. a

*The plug a-- is made of-a soft; elastic plastic material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber, soft plastic or a similar material. The particular material to be used depends largely upon the qualities of the material to be dispensed. If the contents of the container are of an oily nature, a material such as neoprene, impervious to oils, will be desirable. A typical material to be dispensed is the insecticide known as D. D. T. and used in the form of an oil suspension. Many other fluids may, however, be handled. The plug must have sumcient hardness to resist extrusion under high pressure, and must be of such density as to permit easy piercing by a hollow tubular pin, and to be self-sealing when such pin is withdrawn. It should be of such elasticity as to not clog the piercing pin when it is inserted therein.

When the container 1) has been filled with a fluid 0, under pressure, as illustrated in Figure 2, the mouth portion of the container wall is folded or crimped over the sealing plug a so as to firmly seal it in a secure and leak-proof position. The method of filling and sealing the container will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate, in greater detail, two possible forms of the plug a depicted in Figure 1, either of which may be satisfactorily used. Figure 3 comprises two perspective views of oneof these forms, al, the upper and lower views showing it in upright position and in inverted position, respectively. In this form, the shape of the plug is substantially the same as shown and described in connection with Figure 1, but showing more clearly a plurality of radial projections 9, formed on the lower surface or shoulder 8 of the body 5. These projections may be of any desired shape, being shown as substantially wedgeshaped. They extend from the walls of the dome l to the periphery of the body portion 5.

Figure 4 comprises similar perspective views of a modified form of the plug, indicated as c--2. It is substantially identical to that shown in Figure 3, differing in that a plurality of small indentations or channels iii, radiating from the perimeter of the dome l, are formed in the lower surface or shoulder portion 8 of the body 5.

In Figure 5 is illustrated the cooperating relation of the sealing plug to the container, before or during the filling of the latter with gas or fluid. The form of plug a! is shown as placed within the recess 3 formed in the neck i of the container 22. The projections 9 formed on the shoulder 8 of the body 5 rest upon the shoulder 4 formed in the opening 2. The dome portion I is adjacent the interior of the container 1) and the concavity 6 faces outward.

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, substituting the form of plug a-Z illustrated in Figure 4. Here the shoulder 8 and indentations it formed therein are adjacent the shoulder 4.

Referring to both Figures 5 and 6, the diameter of the recess 3 of the opening 2 is larger than the diameter of the body 5 of the plug placed therein, leaving a space thereabout which cooperates with the openings formed between the projections 9 in the one form, or the openings formed by the channels H] in the second form, to provide a flow passage for the liquid being introduced into the container b.

The method of filling and sealing the container 2) is illustrated in Figure 1. A neck or spout e of a suitable filling and sealing machine, the general structure of which is not shown or described since it forms no part of this invention, is shown. Any type of such machine usually used for the purpose may be adapted for use with the present invention. A recess is formed in the end of the spout e to receive the neck I of the container b. The recess 20 is formed to closely lit the exterior of the neck I, and an opening 2| connects with the interior of the recess 20 for passage of the liquid or gas with which the container is to be filled. When the container is to be filled, the neck or spout e is placed over the neck I of the container in the position shown in dotted lines. The liquid or gas flows from the passage 2| into the recess 20, between the sides of the sealing plug and the walls of the recess 3 formed in the container 2), through the openings formed between the projections 9, or by the channels I0 as the case may be, and into the container 2). When the container 1) is full, the neck or spout e of the filling mechanism is forced downwardly, under pressure, so that the bottom of the recess 20 will fold inwardly the upward extending walls of the neck I against the upper surface of the plug to crush the body of the plug downward and outward and form a seal. A portion of a container b and the sealing plug, after the seal has been formed, is shown in cross-section in Figure 9. Gas for providing pressure may be placed in the container along with the material to be dispensed, or solid carbon dioxide or other gas producing material may be utilized for developing pressure after sealing.

In forming the walls of the neck I to compress the sealing plug, the filling projections 9 of the plug al are so compressed as to form a complete seal on all areas where the plug contacts the wall 3 or the shoulder 4 of the container b. Due to the compression of theprojections 9, the shoulder 8 will rest solidly against the shoulder 4. If the form of plug a2 is used, the compression will close up the channel or indentations 10 to produce the same sealing efiect. In addition, the compression of the body of the plug will cause it to spread to some degree, resulting in a sealing relation between the walls of the body portion 5 and the walls of the recess 3.

A modification of the above, employing a protective metal washer d is illustrated in Figures 7, 7-A and 10. This metal washer d may be used in conjunction with either of the above described forms of sealing plug. The washer it comprises a flat ring having a concave portion formed at its center, adapted to conform to the concave recess 6 formed in the plug. A central opening 3| is formed in the washer d for receiving a piercing needle or tube, when the contents of the container are to be dispensed. This metal support washer (1 may be provided, when desired, to prevent the sealing plug used therewith from being extruded when the contents of the container are under extraordinarily high pressures, and also as a guide for the piercing needle or tube.

In Figure 11 is shown a piercing and dispensing unit 49 for use with the above described container and sealing plug. It comprises a housing 41 in which is mounted a tube 42 of such internal diameter as to secure the desired particle size, atomization, spray or dispensing quality, when used in combination with the particular liquid or chemical under a predetermined pressure within the container 11. The housing 41 of this unit has a recess 43 formed therein to fit neatly over the mouth or neck I of the container 12. The tube 32 is tapered or chamfered at its inner end to form a sharp edge for the purpose of piercing the plasticseal. The tube 42 is shown asextending upwardly within the housing 41 and then at right angles to an opening in'the side ofthe housing.

It is to be understood, however, that the tube may open through the top of the housing 4|, Where so desired.

When it is desired to use the spraying device, the point of the tube 42 is placed at the center or lowest point of the concavity 6 and a downward pressure exerted against the tube 42 through its associated housing 41 to pierce the plug and insert the end of the tube into the container 5. The recess 43 fits snugly over the neck I of the container 5, although allowing the housing 4! to be rotated with relation to the container, if desired, to change direction of discharge. When the tubular piercing pin 42 has completely passed through the sealing plug a, the opening in the pin is exposed to the fluid contents c of the container b, and since the contents are under pressure, the liquid is forced through the tubular pin and released through th orifice 44 into the air. By revolving either the container or the housing 4|, the direction of the spray or discharge may be controlled.

After the desired amount of the contents has been discharged, the piercing and dispensing unit 40 may be withdrawn and the opening within the plug made by the piercing tube will automatically seal itself, as illustratedin Figures 12 and 13. The pressure within the container, directed against the domed structure of the sealing ring in an outward direction, forces the walls of the puncture together and efficiently and completely seals the container, so that the remaining contents may be used at a later time. When it is desired to use the remainder of the contents, the dispensing unit 40 is again inserted through the sealing plug. As is clearly disclosed in Figure 12 of the drawings, the resealing action is instantaneous, the lower part of the puncture being closed as quickly as the end of the tube is withdrawn. Thus there is no possibility of loss of pressure or leakage of the contents of the container as the tube is withdrawn. A positive, instantaneous resealing is assured.

With the present device for sealing and dispensing, the entire contents of a container need not be used at one time, but may be dispensed at intervals over an indefinite period, without wastage. In the usual device provided for this purpose, once the container seal has been broken, the entire contents must be used immediately since no provision has heretofore been provided for resealing such a container for future use. The present resealing device provides as efficient a seal after the second, third or fourth use as originally existed before any of the contents of the associated container were dispensed, a distinct advantage and improvement over similar devices, since many products marketed in this form are highly concentrated and often expensive, and only very small quantities are desired to be used at one time.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sealing and dispensing device for fluids under pressure including a container therefor having a discharge opening, the combination of 6 a solid closure body for said opening formed of rubber or similar soft resilient plastic material, said closure body being inwardly domed in form, solid within its domed portion and having an annular flange thereon of less diameter than said opening, an annular washer having a flat rim of substantially the same diameter as said flange and a conical central portion for supporting said closure body against pressure from within said container and for guiding a dispensing tube centrally thereof for piercing said closure body, and means for holding said flange and said washer in compressed relation with the walls of said opening for sealing the same.

2. Ina sealing and dispensing device for fluids under pressure including a container therefor having a cylindrical neck, the combination of a recess formed in said neck to provide a shoulder therein, a cylindrically shaped closure body for said opening of less diameter than said recess and adapted to rest upon said shoulder, said closure body being formed of rubber or similar soft resilient plastic material adapted to be pierced by a hollow dispensing tube, said closure body also having a concave outer surface and convex inner surface and passages formed in its lower surface to allow passage of fluid between said body and said shoulder, an annular washer having a flat rim and a conical central portion conforming to the concave outer surface of said body for supporting the same against excessive pressure from within said container and for guiding said dispensing tube centrally of said body, and means for holding said washer and said closure body in compressed relation with said shoulder to close said passages and seal said opening. I PHILIP ALEXANDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 568,669 Ellsworth Sept. 29, 1896 584,091 Leidich I June 8, 1897 608,349 Sterne Aug. 2, 1898 1,028,373 McCaslin June 4, 1912 1,241,352 Doering, Jr., et al. Sept. 25, 1917 1,336,719 Baulig Apr. 13, 1920 1,509,916 Waite Sept. 30, 1924 1,546,159 Wippler July 14, 1925 1,755,316 De Alcocer Apr. 22, 1930 2,072,853 Baxter Mar. 9, 1937 2,114,583 Adams Apr. 19, 1938 2,229,739 Harrington Jan. 28, 1941 2,243,754 Honegger May 27, 1941 2,272,445 Threm Feb. 10, 1942 2,280,088 Honegger Apr. 21, 1942 2,295,658 Hogg Sept. 15, 1942 2,316,607 MacDonald Apr. 13, '1943 2,328,863 Threm Sept. 7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 324,561 Italy Feb. 7, 1935 

